Yohan Cabaye has high hopes for Newcastle

HIGH TIME: Yohan Cabaye believes the Christmas period will determine whether the Toon can realistically finish in the top four [AFP/GETTY]

Alan Pardew’s side are the form team with five wins in their last six games and the Toon Army are dreaming of going one better than 2012’s fifth-place Premier League finish.

But Cabaye said: “We can’t afford to think about the future too much at this stage. People might talk about qualifying for Europe, or even the Champions League, but we can’t afford to think like that.

“The Christmas period is coming, and that’s always an important period. If we are in the same position as now in the middle of January, then why not start to look further forward? But we have to get there first.

“There are going to be a lot of games in the next month, and we’ll have to focus on our recovery”

Yohan Cabaye

“There are going to be a lot of games in the next month, and we’ll have to focus on our recovery between matches.”

Newcastle’s campaign was hit by injuries and suspension last season, as they narrowly avoided the drop.

Cabaye, 27, sits out Saturday’s visit by Southampton due to a one-match ban, but said his enforced rest could help the team.

The France playmaker added: “We need to keep all the players as fit as we can. That will help us play to our best.

“Maybe my suspension will prove to be a good thing.

“It will allow me to relax for a little bit because I have been very busy for the national team.”